Do you need a speaker for your event

A1 Director, Mike Foster (pictured here speaking at the conference of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers about marketing) continues to be a well received speaker for networking events, conferences and clients events.
The type of topics that Mike has been asked to speak about are:

• Time management – gain control of your daily activity
• How to win your ideal clients – your marketing strategy and tactics
• Social media – should I be using and tips to set up your LinkedIn profile
• Making your financial numbers work for you
• Designing a business that works
• The 7 systemised steps to business growth
• The must know guide to starting your own business
• First Aid skills

See http://a1-group.co.uk/index.php/aboutus/business-coach-and-speaker
 
If you would like Mike to speak at your event, then please contact him by clicking here

Why the name - Pathfinder

In last months news, we mentioned our Pathfinder club and the question has been asked, Why the name?
Well whilst World War II was raging, photographic evidence showed that only one in five British bombers came within a mere five miles of their intended targets. In 1942, the Pathfinder forces were thus formed, an elite squadron within the RAF Bomber Command whose purpose was to locate and mark targets with flares, this lighted the way for the main bomber force to come in and finish the job, thereby increasing the accuracy of their mission exponentially and gaining ground in the war.
Bringing this philosophy to our businesses, the Pathfinder Club, sponsored by SMI (UK) and the A1 Group, is a platform for business owners, like you, to further develop your business, to maximise profits, create a motivational environment, and take back control of your time and your life. www.pathfinderclub.co.uk 

week included new client meetings, new team interviews, VAT returns, speaker engagements, FOFATO conference, marketing support, new coaching

Business Start Up DVD

In partnership with Concept Filming A1 has launched a new DVD on the topic of Starting your own business.
Mike Foster presents much of the content on the DVD, a must know guide, which includes all the important considerations of starting a business including

• The Initial Considerations
• Foundations for your Business
• Finance
• Your Product or Service
• Marketing and Sales
• Employing People
• Customer Service

For more details and a trailer, please see www.startyourownbusinessdvd.co.uk 

week included Pathfinder Club, Oxford Business Network, startyourownbusinessdvd.co.uk, personal development time and a social media focus

Updates for your First Aiders

There have been some recent updates to First Aid protocol that your First Aiders should be aware of:

Pelvic Check
When performing a top-to-toe survey, we are no longer encouraging a squeeze or 'rock' of the pelvis. This can complicate any potential injury that the casualty may be suffering from.
So the training is to not squeeze or rock the pelvis as it could complicate any potential injury. Look for evidence of incontinence and bleeding and how the legs are laying. Look to see if the legs are splayed, or if one leg appears shorter than the other.
 
RIDDOR - additional reporting requirements to your accident report in certain circumstances
There will be a significant change to RIDDOR 95 on 6th April this year.
From 6 April 2012, the reporting requirement for Over-Three-Day Injuries to workers will change to Over-Seven-Day Injuries.
From then, you must report work-related injuries, where a worker has been incapacitated for more than seven consecutive days. You must still keep a record of the accident if the worker has been incapacitated for more than three consecutive days.
The deadline by which an over-seven-day injury must be reported is 15 days after the accident.

Can we help with your first aid training requirements? www.a1-first-aid.co.uk

Mike Foster shares his expertise with Start Up Business owners

Following the launch of our new DVD for business start up's www.startyourownbusinessdvd.co.uk
I have been asked to speak at events and support other business owners looking to start their own business.

For more information about what I can offer, please see our web site at  http://www.a1-group.co.uk/index.php/aboutus/business-coach-and-speaker

Some articles worth a read?

Here are links to a few articles published recently that you may find of interest:

How to create custom Twitter backgrounds

Using Business Common Sense To Interpret Contracts 

Putting The Why Into Your Social Media

Save tax on your commercial property

Time Management and knowing the basics

Do we really know the full extent of what we are trying to manage?
Many people we work with identify the need to manage things such as work for their customers, their emails, their travel time and the day to day administration. However only a few consider those small things that eat into our precious time.
Remember we only have 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to choose what we want to do. Once it has passed it has gone forever.
Some say they would not have the time, but we recommend keeping a daily time log for at least two weeks and logging every minute of your day. What did you really do. Then analyse the period and identify the true activities that need your time management focus.
Without such knowledge, it is then difficult to plan for the obvious without the time getting hijacked by another unforeseen activity.
This may also highlight areas where you may be undercharging or activities you can delegate or outsource.